US ports shut down as dockworkers strike

Report says tens of thousands of dockworkers have gone on strike indefinitely at ports across the US, threatening significant trade and economic disruption ahead of the presidential election and the busy holiday shopping season.

Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) walked out on Tuesday at 14 major ports along the east and gulf coasts, halting container traffic from Maine to Texas.

According to the report, the action marks the first of such shutdown in almost 50 years.

The US Maritime Alliance, known as USMX, which represents shipping firms, port associations and marine terminal operators revealed that the two sides are fighting over a six-year master contract that covers about 25,000 port workers employed in container and roll-on/roll-off operations.

Talks have been stalled for months and the current contract between parties expired on Monday.

Union boss Harold Daggett has called for significant pay increases for his members, while voicing concerns about threats from automation while USMX has accused the union of refusing to bargain, filing a complaint with labour regulators that asked them to order the union back to the table.

The white house stated that President Joe Biden has the power to suspend the strike for 80 days for further negotiations, but he is not planning to act.